Undergarment having multiple waistbands and associated method of manufacture

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides an undergarment that includes a lower pants portion configured to encompass the legs and crotch of a wearer, the lower pants portion comprising a first waistband made of a substantially-elastic material. The undergarment also includes an upper waist portion configured to encompass the waist of the wearer, the upper waist portion comprising a waist panel and a second waistband made of a substantially-elastic material, wherein at least a portion of the waist panel is disposed between the first waistband and the second waistband when the undergarment is worn by the wearer, and wherein the first waistband and the second waistband are in at least a partially-spaced-apart relationship when the undergarment is worn by the wearer.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the clothing field. More specifically, the present invention relates to an undergarment, such as a pair of men's boxer briefs, boxer shorts, briefs, or the like, having multiple waistbands and an associated method of manufacture.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There is a current fashion trend among young adults, teenagers, and pre-teenagers to wear “baggie” pants. “Baggie” pants are typically over-sized, low-slung, full-length pants or shorts that ride on the hips of a wearer. Examples of such “baggie” pants include, but are not limited to, over-sized, low-slung denim pants and shorts, cargo pants and shorts, military pants and shorts, and athletic pants and shorts. “Baggie” pants typically allow the wearer to partially expose their undergarment above the waistband of their “baggie” pants, especially the waistband of their undergarment. This fashion display is acceptable and, in fact, desirable in today's youth culture. Today's young adults, teenagers, and pre-teenagers often wear multiple undergarments underneath their “baggie” pants for the purpose of exposing multiple waistbands above the waistband of their “baggie” pants. These waistbands may be embroidered or otherwise adorned with a variety of manufacturer's indicia, labels, graphics, and/or the like, thus making a desirable fashion statement.

One problem with wearing multiple undergarments underneath “baggie” pants or the like for the purpose of exposing multiple waistbands above the waistband of the “baggie” pants or the like is that a wearer may become hot and/or uncomfortable due to the excessive amount of fabric that they are wearing underneath their “baggie” pants or the like. In other words, sweating, bunching, and binding are significant problems. Another problem with wearing multiple undergarments underneath “baggie” pants or the like for the purpose of exposing multiple waistbands above the waistband of the “baggie” pants or the like is that the panels and the openings for providing access to the interior portion of each of the undergarments, individually, may become misaligned, making access to the interior portion of the multiple undergarments, collectively, difficult.

Thus, what is needed is a single, lightweight undergarment that may be worn underneath “baggie” pants or the like and that has multiple waistbands that may be exposed above the waistband of the “baggie” pants or the like. There should be easy access to the interior portion of the undergarment and the undergarment should be fashionable. Each of the multiple waistbands should be suitable for displaying a variety of manufacturer's indicia, labels, graphics, and/or the like.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In various embodiments, the present invention provides a single, lightweight undergarment, such as a pair of men's boxer briefs, boxer shorts, briefs, or the like, that may be worn underneath “baggie” pants or the like and that has multiple waistbands that may be exposed above the waistband of the “baggie” pants or the like. There is easy access to the interior portion of the undergarment and the undergarment is fashionable. Each of the multiple waistbands is suitable for displaying a variety of manufacturer's or sponsor's indicia, labels, graphics, and/or the like.

In one specific embodiment of the present invention, an undergarment includes a lower pants portion configured to encompass the legs and crotch of a wearer, the lower pants portion comprising a first waistband made of a substantially-elastic material. The undergarment also includes an upper waist portion configured to encompass the waist of the wearer, the upper waist portion comprising a waist panel and a second waistband made of a substantially-elastic material, wherein at least a portion of the waist panel is disposed between the first waistband and the second waistband when the undergarment is worn by the wearer, and wherein the first waistband and the second waistband are in at least a partially-spaced-apart relationship when the undergarment is worn by the wearer.

In another specific embodiment of the present invention, a method for manufacturing an undergarment includes providing a lower pants portion configured to encompass the legs and crotch of a wearer, the lower pants portion comprising a first waistband made of a substantially-elastic material. The method also includes providing an upper waist portion configured to encompass the waist of the wearer, the upper waist portion comprising a waist panel and a second waistband made of a substantially-elastic material, wherein at least a portion of the waist panel is disposed between the first waistband and the second waistband when the undergarment is worn by the wearer, and wherein the first waistband and the second waistband are in at least a partially-spaced-apart relationship when the undergarment is worn by the wearer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention are described more fully herein below with reference to the following figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is a partially-exploded front perspective view of one embodiment of the undergarment of the present invention, illustrating the use of multiple waistbands arranged in a substantially-parallel and fully-spaced-apart configuration;

FIG. 2 is a partially-exploded front perspective view of another embodiment of the undergarment of the present invention, illustrating the use of multiple waistbands arranged in an intersecting and partially-spaced-apart configuration;

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the undergarment of FIGS. 1 and 2 in a fully-assembled configuration;

FIG. 4 is a partially-exploded front perspective view of the undergarment of FIGS. 1 and 2, illustrating the use of an outer panel and an outer opening for providing access to the interior portion of the undergarment;

FIG. 5 is a partially-exploded front perspective view of the undergarment of FIGS. 1 and 2, illustrating the use of an inner panel and an inner opening for providing access to the interior portion of the undergarment; and

FIG. 6 is a partially-exploded front perspective view of the undergarment of FIGS. 1 and 2, illustrating the use of both an outer panel and an outer opening and an inner panel and an inner opening for providing access to the interior portion of the undergarment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In various embodiments, the present invention provides a single, lightweight undergarment, such as a pair of men's boxer briefs, boxer shorts, briefs, or the like, that may be worn underneath “baggie” pants or the like and that has multiple waistbands that may be exposed above the waistband of the “baggie” pants or the like. There is easy access to the interior portion of the undergarment and the undergarment is fashionable. Each of the multiple waistbands is suitable for displaying a variety of manufacturer's or sponsor's indicia, labels, graphics, and/or the like.

Referring to FIG. 1, in one embodiment of the present invention, the undergarment 10 includes a lower pants portion 12 and an upper waist portion 14. The lower pants portion 12 of the undergarment 10 includes a first leg panel 16 configured to encompass one leg of a wearer, a second leg panel 18 configured to encompass another leg of a wearer, and a crotch panel 20 configured to encompass the crotch of the wearer. The first leg panel 16, the second leg panel 18, and the crotch panel 20 are each made of one or more natural or synthetic materials, such as a cotton fabric, a nylon fabric, a blended fabric, a substantially-elastic material, or the like. The first leg panel 16, the second leg panel 18, and the crotch panel 20 are sewn together or otherwise suitably joined to form a pair of pants or shorts (intended to be worn as an outer garment), a pair of boxer briefs, boxer shorts, or briefs (intended to be worn as an undergarment), or the like, well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Although three (3) panels are illustrated and described herein, any suitable number of panels may be used.

The lower pants portion 12 of the undergarment 10 also includes a first waistband 22 configured to encompass the waist of the wearer. The first waistband 22 is sewn or otherwise suitably joined to the first leg panel 16, the second leg panel 18, and the crotch panel 20 (or to any other panels that may be used) and is made of one or more natural or synthetic materials, such as a cotton fabric, a nylon fabric, a blended fabric, a substantially-elastic material, or the like. Preferably, the first waistband 22 has an elasticity that is sufficient to hold the lower pants portion 12 of the undergarment 10 snugly around the waist of the wearer. In general, the first waistband 22 has a width of between about 0.5 inches and about 3 inches, and a circumference of between about 10 inches and about 50 inches, although other suitable dimensions may be used. Optionally, the first waistband 22 includes a belt (not shown) and/or loops (not shown) for supporting a belt. The first waistband 22 is suitable for displaying a variety of manufacturer's or sponsor's indicia 24, labels, graphics, and/or the like.

The upper waist portion 14 of the undergarment 10 includes a waist panel 26 configured to encompass the waist of the wearer and a second waistband 28. The waist panel 26 is made of one or more natural or synthetic materials, such as a cotton fabric, a nylon fabric, a blended fabric, a substantially-elastic material, or the like. Although one (1) panel is illustrated and described herein, any suitable number of panels may be used. The second waistband 28 is sewn or otherwise suitably joined to the waist panel 26 (or to any other panels that may be used) and is made of one or more natural or synthetic materials, such as a cotton fabric, a nylon fabric, a blended fabric, a substantially-elastic material, or the like. Preferably, the second waistband 28 has an elasticity that is sufficient to hold the upper waist portion 14 of the undergarment 10 snugly around the waist of the wearer. In general, the second waistband 28 has a width of between about 0.5 inches and about 3 inches, and a circumference of between about 10 inches and about 50 inches, although other suitable dimensions may be used. Optionally, the second waistband 28 includes a belt (not shown) and/or loops (not shown) for supporting a belt. The second waistband 28 is suitable for displaying a variety of manufacturer's or sponsor's indicia 30, labels, graphics, and/or the like.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the waist panel 26 holds the second waistband 28 in a partially or fully-spaced-apart relationship with the first waistband 22, such that at least a portion 32 of the waist panel 26 is exposed between the first waistband 22 and the second waistband 28. Referring again to FIG. 1, in one embodiment of the present invention, the waist panel 26 is substantially cylindrical with all portions 32 of the waist panel 26 exposed between the first waistband 22 and the second waistband 28 having the same width. Thus, the first waistband 22 and the second waistband 28 are held in a substantially-parallel configuration. Referring to FIG. 3, in another embodiment of the present invention, the waist panel 26 is substantially cylindrical with the front portion 34 of the waist panel 26 relative to the wearer and exposed between the first waistband 22 and the second waistband 28 having a greater width than the back portion 36 of the waist panel 26 relative to the wearer and exposed between the first waistband 22 and the second waistband 28. Thus, the first waistband 22 and the second waistband 28 are held in an intersecting configuration, such that the first waistband 22 and the second waistband 28 are closer to each other proximate to the wearer's back than they are proximate to the wearer's front, optionally touching each other proximate to the wearer's back.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, the waist panel 26 and the second waistband 28 are sewn or otherwise suitably joined to the lower pants portion 12 of the undergarment 10 along the lower edge 38 of the waist panel 26. In other words, the upper waist portion 14 of the undergarment 10 is sewn or otherwise suitably joined to the lower pants portion 12 of the undergarment 10 along the lower edge 38 of the waist panel 26. In one embodiment of the present invention, the lower edge 38 of the waist panel 26 is sewn or otherwise suitably joined to the upper edge 40 of the first waistband 22. Alternatively, in another embodiment of the present invention, the lower edge 38 of the waist panel 26 is sewn or otherwise suitably joined to the lower edge 42 of the first waistband 22 and/or the upper edge 44 of the first leg panel 16, the second leg panel 18, and the crotch panel 20. Alternatively, in a further embodiment of the present invention, the lower edge 38 of the waist panel 26 is sewn or otherwise suitably joined to the interior portion of the first leg panel 16, the second leg panel 18, and the crotch panel 20. In the later two cases, an area of overlap 46 is created between the first waistband 22 and, optionally, a portion of the first leg panel 16, the second leg panel 18, and the crotch panel 20 and the waist panel 26. Because of this area of overlap 46, the first waistband 22 and, optionally, a portion of the first leg panel 16, the second leg panel 18, and the crotch panel 20 may be pulled down and away from the waist panel 26, which remains snugly against the body of the wearer, providing access to the interior portion of the lower pants portion 12 of the undergarment 10 and the exterior portion of the upper waist portion 14 of the undergarment 10. It should be noted that the lower edge 38 of the waist panel 26 may be uniform or, alternatively, non-uniform. For example, referring to FIG. 5, the lower edge 38 of the waist panel 26 may be in closer proximity to the second waistband 28 at the first leg panel 16 and the second leg panel 18 than at the crotch panel 20. In other words, the waist panel 26 may be more narrow at the first leg panel 16 and the second leg panel 18 than at the crotch panel 20.

Referring to FIG. 4, in one embodiment of the present invention, the crotch panel 20 includes one or more panels and openings 48 for providing access to the interior portion of the undergarment 10. Such panels and openings 48 are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Referring to FIG. 5, in another embodiment of the present invention, the waist panel 26 includes one or more panels and openings 48 for providing access to the interior portion of the undergarment 10. In this embodiment, access to the one or more panels and openings 48 and the interior portion of the undergarment 10 is provided when the first waistband 22 and a portion of the first leg panel 16, the second leg panel 18, and the crotch panel 20 are pulled down and away from the waist panel 26. Referring to FIG. 6, in a further embodiment of the present invention, both the crotch panel 20 and the waist panel 26 include one or more panels and openings 48 for providing access to the interior portion of the undergarment 10. Preferably, the one or more panels and openings 48 of the crotch panel 20 and the one or more panels and openings 48 of the waist panel 26 are substantially aligned.

Although the present invention has been illustrated and described with reference to preferred embodiments and specific examples thereof, it should be noted that other embodiments and examples may perform the same functions and/or achieve similar results. All such equivalent embodiments and examples are within the scope and spirit of the present invention and are intended to be covered by the following claims. 

1. An undergarment, comprising: a lower pants portion configured to encompass the legs and crotch of a wearer, the lower pants portion comprising a first waistband made of a substantially-elastic material; and an upper waist portion configured to encompass the waist of the wearer, the upper waist portion comprising a waist panel and a second waistband made of a substantially-elastic material, wherein at least a portion of the waist panel is disposed between the first waistband and the second waistband when the undergarment is worn by the wearer, and wherein the first waistband and the second waistband are in at least a partially-spaced-apart relationship when the undergarment is worn by the wearer.
 2. The undergarment of claim 1, wherein the first waistband and the second waistband are in a partially-spaced-apart and partially-intersecting relationship when the undergarment is worn by the wearer.
 3. The undergarment of claim 1, wherein the first waistband and the second waistband are in a fully-spaced-apart relationship when the undergarment is worn by the wearer.
 4. The undergarment of claim 3, wherein the first waistband and the second waistband are in a substantially-parallel relationship when the undergarment is worn by the wearer.
 5. The undergarment of claim 1, wherein the lower pants portion further comprises one or more panels defining one or more openings for providing access to an interior portion of the undergarment.
 6. The undergarment of claim 1, wherein the upper waist portion further comprises one or more panels defining one or more openings for providing access to an interior portion of the undergarment.
 7. The undergarment of claim 6, wherein the waist panel comprises one or more panels defining one or more openings for providing access to the interior portion of the undergarment.
 8. The undergarment of claim 1, wherein a lower edge of the waist panel is joined to an upper edge of the first waistband.
 9. The undergarment of claim 1, wherein a lower edge of the waist panel is joined to a lower edge of the first waistband.
 10. The undergarment of claim 1, wherein a lower edge of the waist panel is joined to an interior portion of the lower pants portion.
 11. The undergarment of claim 1, wherein the first waistband is configured such that it may be pulled down and away from the waist panel and the second waistband.
 12. The undergarment of claim 11, wherein the lower pants portion is configured such that a portion of the lower pants portion may be pulled down and away from the waist panel and the second waistband.
 13. A method for manufacturing an undergarment, comprising: providing a lower pants portion configured to encompass the legs and crotch of a wearer, the lower pants portion comprising a first waistband made of a substantially-elastic material; and providing an upper waist portion configured to encompass the waist of the wearer, the upper waist portion comprising a waist panel and a second waistband made of a substantially-elastic material, wherein at least a portion of the waist panel is disposed between the first waistband and the second waistband when the undergarment is worn by the wearer, and wherein the first waistband and the second waistband are in at least a partially-spaced-apart relationship when the undergarment is worn by the wearer.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the first waistband and the second waistband are in a partially-spaced-apart and partially-intersecting relationship when the undergarment is worn by the wearer.
 15. The method of claim 13, wherein the first waistband and the second waistband are in a fully-spaced-apart relationship when the undergarment is worn by the wearer.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the first waistband and the second waistband are in a substantially-parallel relationship when the undergarment is worn by the wearer.
 17. The method of claim 13, wherein the lower pants portion further comprises one or more panels defining one or more openings for providing access to an interior portion of the undergarment.
 18. The method of claim 13, wherein the upper waist portion further comprises one or more panels defining one or more openings for providing access to an interior portion of the undergarment.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the waist panel comprises one or more panels defining one or more openings for providing access to the interior portion of the undergarment.
 20. The method of claim 13, further comprising joining a lower edge of the waist panel to an upper edge of the first waistband.
 21. The method of claim 13, further comprising joining a lower edge of the waist panel to a lower edge of the first waistband.
 22. The method of claim 13, further comprising joining a lower edge of the waist panel to an interior portion of the lower pants portion.
 23. The method of claim 13, further comprising configuring the first waistband such that it may be pulled down and away from the waist panel and the second waistband.
 24. The method of claim 23, further comprising configuring the lower pants portion such that a portion of the lower pants portion may be pulled down and away from the waist panel and the second waistband. 